Parade of Lights: The Glorious Kickoff to Christmas in July
When the summer sun climbs high over Santa’s Village, casting golden rays across peppermint lampposts and toyshop eaves, it signals the start of one of Evela’s most beloved traditions: the Parade of Lights. As the opening event of the Christmas in July Festival, the parade brings color, cheer, and a touch of magic to the very first morning of celebration.
A Bright Beginning
First held in 1826, a year after the inaugural Christmas in July, the Parade of Lights was introduced to kick off the festival with a sense of shared wonder. True to its name, the event features daylight-friendly light magic—gleaming garlands, glistening reflectors, and fairy dust-infused glow panels designed to shimmer even under the midsummer sun.
The parade quickly became a cornerstone of the festival, symbolizing the unity of Santa’s Village and the joyous blending of elven ingenuity, human creativity, and seasonal sparkle.
Morning Magic
Starting at 10:00 AM Dondavar Time, the parade proceeds down Candy Cane Lane, flanked by cheering crowds and bunting made of ribbon candy and silver snowflakes. The light effects aren’t just visual—they pulse with musical resonance, changing color to the rhythms of harmonicas, sleigh bells, and jug-band melodies performed live along the route.
Parade Features
- Departmental Floats – Each of Santa’s teams—Toymakers, Wrapping Crew, Sleigh Maintenance, and more—constructs its own float, blending mechanical artistry with fairy dust technology. Watch for the Bakery’s Giant Rolling Cookie Wagon, and the Postal Glider Float, complete with flapping envelope wings.
- Reindeer Procession – Though the original eight reindeer from the 1500s have long since passed into legend (reindeer live approximately 150 years, magically supported), the Emberwood team, now elders, make a dignified appearance in the procession. Still proud and majestic, they wear gleaming harnesses adorned with past medals and are escorted by young trainees from the Sleigh Academy.
- Lantern Walkers – Hundreds of elves and village children carry polished lanterns filled with glowing dust, refracting light in a dazzling display designed to dance in the daylight.
- Messenger Elves in Formation – Zooming just above the parade, squads of Messenger Elves trail sparkles and streamers, occasionally releasing small puffs of colored smoke to paint ephemeral designs in the air.
A Community Affair
For residents and visitors alike, the Parade of Lights is a chance to connect. Lantern-making booths the week prior allow anyone to contribute to the event. First-time visitors are often invited to walk alongside the Toy Tester Brigade or help ring the bells that signal the parade’s start.
And at the very end of the parade comes Santa himself—Chris Kringle—standing high on the “Spirit Sleigh”, a rolling float shaped like a sleigh-in-flight, waving to the crowd and officially declaring the festival begun.
The Light That Lasts
Though it takes place in full daylight, the Parade of Lights reminds everyone that Christmas magic shines year-round—not just through snow or starlight, but in music, memory, and the joy of shared tradition.
So if you find yourself in Santa’s Village come July, don’t sleep in. Come early, bring your best lantern, and get ready to start the festival with a smile. The Parade of Lights is about to begin.
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